Renovations continue on schedule at DeSoto Golf Course

By MARY ELIADESStaff writer

Tuesday

Jun 25, 2013 at 2:26 AMJun 25, 2013 at 10:47 AM

Golf director John Paul and committee member Jim Arnold reported to the golf committee that the DeSoto Golf Course renovations are proceeding on schedule and on budget, and that the course should be ready to open sometime in October.

The grass is growing on all fairways and greens, and crews are currently working on the driving range tee area. The maintenance building needs a lot of work, and Paul is hoping that the budget will allow repairs at the completion of the main project.

Paul presented the golf department report for June, and announced that revenue is down by about $300,000. Expenses have been under control, and he estimates a year-end loss of about $300,000.

He said that weekends are generally the busiest times, but the weather this year – including the heavy rains over Memorial Day weekend – have been keeping people home, that "people get out of the habit of playing."

Paul reported that the couples tournament continues to be a big draw and a good promotion for Hot Springs Village.

Golfers this year came from 14 states, and about 70 percent of all participants were visitors or non-residents.

Heavy rains kept golfers from completing all three rounds, but Paul reported that everyone left "full and happy."

Paul discussed treatment of the greens for diseases now that the "heat is on."

Hot and rainy weather breeds a variety of diseases (39 have been identified on Village courses), and Paul remarked that it takes a trained eye to spot and treat them.

The summers are getting longer, and crews are working long hours to deal with the problems. Paul noted that the greens at Magellan are in great shape.

Paul also reported on the new Billy Bunkers (in his written report): "The results are in on the renovation of the bunkers, using this new process, and the superintendents are more than pleased with the results."

The new bunkers made a "great recovery" from the nine-inch rains that inundated the courses recently – on hole number 9 at Magellan, "it took only 15 minutes to work the sand, where in the past it would have taken three people over an hour and a half just to push the sand back up."

Paul said that the labor required is much less, and that he would like to do 10-12 bunkers a year until all are converted.

A question was asked about why the grass on the fairways at Granada is shorter than other courses, and Paul responded that it has to do with the type of grass used and the heavy cart traffic, but that the grass is not cut any shorter.

Arnold asked when the decision would be made as to the type of greens for the future Balboa renovations. Paul answered that the decision won’t be made for quite a while – the type of greens won’t affect the rest of the renovation.

He also remarked that the cost is approximately the same for Bermuda and bent grass, except for the additional expense of covers for the Bermuda greens.

Another question was asked about the "slimy" ponds, and Paul explained that the heavy rains flushed out the chemicals that are used to control growth in the ponds, and that they are being treated now.

Debe Joliff announced that the department has been accounting for state weeks since February and that, so far, the Texas week has been the busiest. Paul added that next year the weeks will run from Monday through Sunday.

Frank Leeming briefed the committee on the recent POA board retreat, and said that he thinks the board is well-disposed toward the Balboa course renovation. He added that the renovation of the clubhouse and surrounding area is on hold, pending development of the "big picture" with input from the new general manager, David Twiggs.

Jim Arnold’s ad-hoc committee on handicaps submitted recommendations to the committee, which approved the recommendations unanimously. The new committee will be part of the golf department, with representatives from each of the Village golf associations.

Committee chair Jack Slattery requested a formal charter for the committee, and Arnold responded that it was included in the documents submitted.

The meeting concluded after John Paul introduced Paul Nothern, a new member of the golf department.

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